A MAGNITUDE 5.5 earthquake jolted the island of Leyte early Monday morning, with epicenter in Leyte town. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the tremor at 5:19 a.m., with the highest reported intensity at 5 in four towns in Leyte province and the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc. There were no immediate reports of major damage in these areas. In the neighboring island province of Biliran, where intensity 4 was felt, ceilings in some classrooms at the Biliran Science High School fell, based on a teacher’s report. The municipal governments of Biliran, Carigara, and Capoocan immediately declared a suspension of classes while authorities inspect structures. Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected and at least eight were recorded before noon Monday.
